Whispered Curses

~ Chapter 1 ~ Eden ~

* Time for Change *

They say time heals all wounds. That’s not always true.

But tequila helps. A lot.

There is some mathematical formula about how many months it takes a broken heart to heal, according to how many months you were together. It likely didn’t take into account if it was your first crack at love, and how you broke up.

Or the fact that there were distinct rumors he had a sugar baby, or some sort of floozy on the side. Not the sort of thing anyone wants to find out the week after a lousy breakup. Perhaps it was the cherry on top of the messed up sundae I’d be telling a therapist about years down the road.

I wasn’t ready for many things yet. Bars, drinking, loud people, and Kelly dragging me onto the dance floor after a few shots of tequila. I knew it had been six months, but I didn’t know if I’d ever be ready to look at guys again.

We’d gotten ready at Kelly’s place, and she practically forced me to wear one of her saucy party dresses. “Show off those amazi

ng legs,” she laughed, fluffing my hair. “Let some men check you out.”

“You know I’m not ready for this,” I grumbled. But I couldn’t resist doing a twirl in front of the mirror. This bright cherry red really did look incredible on me, making my hair look more auburn than brown.

“You don’t have to talk to any of them,” Kelly laughed, hustling me downstairs and into a cab. “Just ogle them. They’re nothing but eye candy tonight.”

Sometimes it was great having a friend who took charge, even when she was pushy. Kelly’s forthright attitude was encouraging, and usually what I needed.

My perpetually effervescent best friend might have had a point. Men stare at women all the time, with no intention except to admire them and have a little thrill. Was there any reason why I didn't deserve a mental boost?

Her pushiness continued when we arrived at the club, slipping bills to the doorman so that we could skip the line and head straight to the bar. Before I had a chance to think, there were two tequila shots in front of me. Kelly knew my favorite dancing drink well.

“As your party director tonight, I demand that you chug those, then stare at men.”

I’d always been the shy one. The girl with her nose in books, where the people were quiet and dependable. The girl who thought things through for days before considering making a move. The girl who wanted things to be planned, and expected. Just this once, I was going to obey, and go with the flow. The worst thing that could happen was that I flirted a little. That wouldn’t break me.

We clinked glasses, then did the two shots. At once. On an empty stomach. I already felt it hitting me as my hand was grabbed and my scantily clad body was hurled onto the dance floor.

Song after horrible song blasted at us. But as we laughed and danced around, it felt like entering an alternate dimension. It was silly. Wonderful. Completely freeing.

Kelly and I twirled under the flashing lights, while I tried to take a good look at the men around me. One guy in a dark blue shirt had incredible cheekbones. His jawline looked like it had been sculpted by a portrait artist. He was gorgeous to stare at, and probably would have made a small fortune modeling.

Smiling to myself, I was just happy that I could see the beauty in a man without the heartache for once.

Spinning the other way, I saw Kelly doing a little bump and grind with a bearded guy who was obviously instantly smitten with her. He was an absolute hunk, but I also saw the way he was gentle with her, taking her hand to give her a spin.

Kelly and I had a long-standing agreement that we did not drink to the point of being helpless. If either of us picked up and disappeared, we would send a text to say that we were safe. From the way she was snuggling into that guy's arms right there on the dance floor, I could already tell I would be getting one of those texts later tonight.

The club was so packed that it didn't matter that I was dancing with myself now. A song I actually knew came on, even though it was the strange thumping dance heavy remix.

My arms shot into the air, my hips swiveled, and I let myself go. I found myself smiling, and making tiny patterns with my hips. For the first time in ages, I became lost in the physical sensation of fun. I probably looked drunk, even though I‘d only had two. But sometimes my favorite drink made me high more than tipsy.

Just when I was thinking another shot of tequila might be in order, I felt a prickle behind me, as if someone was staring. I spun around, stumbling in my heels. Strong hands gripped my waist, as I looked up into the most mysteriously dark, sexy eyes I'd ever seen.

He smiled, then held his hands up in front of him as if to say that he was sorry for grabbing me.

I mouthed the word, "Thanks,” then took a careful look at this guy. He was utterly gorgeous. Tall, and quite broad through the shoulders. His black button-down shirt was a bit snug across his obviously muscular chest. Something about him almost seemed otherworldly. Those deep eyes were already pulling me in.

He cocked his head, obviously checking me out as well. Then he nodded, giving me an incredible grin. Holding out his hand, I took it automatically. Pulling me in, he clasped my hand, lifting it up while holding me tightly around the waist with his other arm. Nobody gave us a second look as we began slow dancing.

His deep voice purred in my ear, “I was dragged here for my friend’s birthday, and now I think I need to get him a better gift to thank him.” His hand pressed against my lower back. “I love being in the right place at the right time, don’t you?”

Looking up at him, the red lights reflected in his eyes, making his grin extra naughty. Dropping my hand, his fingers tangled into the back of my hair. My hands circled his huge shoulders, feeling his heat right through his shirt.